On the harbour
The best jet boat rides in Sydney
30-minute thrill rides from Circular Quay and Darling Harbour, a 45-minute extreme ride and a jet ski safari. Here is which to book, with honest advice on what the price includes, who is not allowed to ride, and how wet you will get.
See our 5 picks
The best jet boat ride in Sydney for most people is the 30-minute ride from Circular Quay, from €32. The Thunder Thrill ride is the most reviewed, from €53. Everyone must be at least 120 cm tall to ride.
Our 5 picks for a jet boat ride in Sydney
Four jet boat rides on Sydney Harbour and one jet ski safari on a river north of the city. All five have free cancellation on GetYourGuide.
- from €32 per person Our top pick
30 minutes from Circular Quay
Jet boat ride
30 minutes 4.8 (244) reviews on GetYourGuide
Jet boat ride with spins from Circular Quay
A 30-minute ride with spins around the harbour sights, from the Eastern Pontoon. Ponchos, life jackets and a shared locker are included.
Best for Best value, first-timers
Check availability: Jet boat ride with spins from Circular Quay on GetYourGuide - from €53 per person
Up to 75 km/h
Thunder Thrill jet boat
30 minutes 4.8 (420) reviews on GetYourGuide
Thunder Thrill jet boat ride
A 30-minute ride from the Eastern Pontoon at speeds of up to 75 km/h. A life jacket, a poncho and a locker are included.
Best for Thrill seekers on a short visit
Check availability: Thunder Thrill jet boat ride on GetYourGuide - from €32 per person
30 minutes from Cockle Bay
Darling Harbour jet boat
30 minutes 4.9 (27) reviews on GetYourGuide
30-minute ride from Darling Harbour
A 30-minute ride from Cockle Bay Marina in Darling Harbour, at up to 70 km/h with high-speed spins. Full-length ponchos are included.
Best for Staying near Darling Harbour
Check availability: 30-minute ride from Darling Harbour on GetYourGuide -
from €75 per person 45 minutes 4.9 (99) reviews on GetYourGuide
45-minute Extreme Adrenaline Rush
The longest jet boat ride, 45 minutes from the Eastern Pontoon. A life jacket, a poncho and a locker are included.
Best for Thrill seekers who want more time
Check availability: 45-minute Extreme Adrenaline Rush on GetYourGuide - from €206 per group
Hawkesbury River, Brooklyn
Jet ski safari
2 hours 4.7 (32) reviews on GetYourGuide
1-hour jet ski safari, no licence needed
Drive your own jet ski on the Hawkesbury River at Brooklyn, north of Sydney, past bridges and islands. It is not on the harbour. The listing gives 2 hours in all for the 1-hour ride.
Best for People who want to drive themselves
Check availability: 1-hour jet ski safari, no licence needed on GetYourGuide
Sydney Harbour jet boat rides compared
| Tour | From | Duration | Included | Who it suits | Why we picked it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jet boat ride with spins from Circular Quay | €32 per person | 30 minutes | Poncho, life jacket, locker | Best value, first-timers | The lowest price, from €32, with 4.8 from 244 reviews. |
| Thunder Thrill jet boat ride | €53 per person | 30 minutes | Poncho, life jacket, locker | Thrill seekers on a short visit | The most-reviewed ride: 4.8 from 420 reviews. |
| 30-minute ride from Darling Harbour | €32 per person | 30 minutes | Full-length poncho, storage | Staying near Darling Harbour | The best-rated 30-minute ride: 4.9 from 27 reviews. |
| 45-minute Extreme Adrenaline Rush | €75 per person | 45 minutes | Poncho, life jacket, locker | Thrill seekers who want more time | The longest ride, with 4.9 from 99 reviews. |
| 1-hour jet ski safari, no licence needed | €206 per group | 2 hours | Jet ski for two, safety briefing | People who want to drive themselves | The only ride where you steer: 4.7 from 32 reviews. |
Jet boat ride with spins from Circular Quay
€32 per person30 minutes 4.8 (244)
Details
- Included
- Poncho, life jacket, locker
- Who it suits
- Best value, first-timers
- Why we picked it
- The lowest price, from €32, with 4.8 from 244 reviews.
€53 per person30 minutes 4.8 (420)
Details
- Included
- Poncho, life jacket, locker
- Who it suits
- Thrill seekers on a short visit
- Why we picked it
- The most-reviewed ride: 4.8 from 420 reviews.
30-minute ride from Darling Harbour
€32 per person30 minutes 4.9 (27)
Details
- Included
- Full-length poncho, storage
- Who it suits
- Staying near Darling Harbour
- Why we picked it
- The best-rated 30-minute ride: 4.9 from 27 reviews.
45-minute Extreme Adrenaline Rush
€75 per person45 minutes 4.9 (99)
Details
- Included
- Poncho, life jacket, locker
- Who it suits
- Thrill seekers who want more time
- Why we picked it
- The longest ride, with 4.9 from 99 reviews.
1-hour jet ski safari, no licence needed
€206 per group2 hours 4.7 (32)
Details
- Included
- Jet ski for two, safety briefing
- Who it suits
- People who want to drive themselves
- Why we picked it
- The only ride where you steer: 4.7 from 32 reviews.
- Only the jet ski safari states a group size: up to 9 people.
- None includes hotel pickup. You meet at the wharf or, for the jet ski, at the marina in Brooklyn.
- All 5 offer free cancellation.
- Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 25 October 2026. Prices are “from” prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.
Which jet boat ride to pick
Pick the 30-minute ride from Circular Quay for value, or the 45-minute ride for the biggest thrill. Three rides leave from the Eastern Pontoon at Circular Quay.
The Thunder Thrill ride reaches up to 75 km/h. The Extreme Adrenaline Rush is the same operator's longer ride.
Jet boating from Darling Harbour
If you stay near Darling Harbour, the 30-minute ride from Cockle Bay Marina saves you the trip to Circular Quay. It reaches up to 70 km/h with spins.
Arrive 15 to 30 minutes early to check in.
Sydney jet boat ride prices
A jet boat ride in Sydney costs from €32 to €75 on GetYourGuide. Here is what each costs:
Want the same sights at a slower pace? Cruise Sydney Harbour on a sightseeing boat from €24.
- 30 minutes from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour: from €32.
- Thunder Thrill, 30 minutes: from €53.
- Extreme Adrenaline Rush, 45 minutes: from €75.
- Jet ski safari: GetYourGuide lists it from €206 per group. One jet ski fits two people.
Who can ride
Most people over 120 cm tall can ride, but the rules differ between listings, so check yours. These rules appear on the listings:
- Height: at least 120 cm on every jet boat ride.
- Health: no riders who are pregnant or have back, neck or heart problems.
- Under 18: a parent or guardian signs the risk form for you.
- Under 13: on the Circular Quay ride with spins, you ride with a parent or guardian.
- Weight: the Circular Quay ride with spins is not for people over 150 kg.
What to wear
Expect to get wet, and wear clothes that can get splashed. Every jet boat ride gives you a poncho, and the Darling Harbour ride gives full-length ones.
Loose clothing is not allowed on the Thunder Thrill and Extreme rides. On the Circular Quay ride with spins, phones, cameras and selfie sticks are not allowed. Leave them in the locker.
Jet ski tours near Sydney
The jet ski safari is on the Hawkesbury River at Brooklyn, not on Sydney Harbour. You drive the jet ski yourself, and you do not need a licence or any experience.
Solo riders must be 16, with a parent's consent if under 18. Drivers aged 12 to 15 need an adult riding behind them. The two riders on one jet ski can weigh up to 200 kg together.
Arrive 30 minutes early for the safety briefing. Transport to the marina is not included.
Booking tips for Sydney jet boat rides
Check what is included
Every jet boat ride here includes a poncho. Lockers or storage come with all four harbour rides. The jet ski includes a safety briefing, but not food, drinks or transport.
Sign the form
Every rider signs a risk form before boarding. For riders under 18, a parent or guardian signs.
If your plans change
All five rides have free cancellation on GetYourGuide. Read the time limit on the booking page.
Sydney jet boat rides: questions and answers
How much is a jet boat ride in Sydney?
Which is the best jet boat ride in Sydney?
Can children ride a jet boat in Sydney?
Will I get wet on a Sydney jet boat?
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Written by the Things to Do in Sydney editorial team.